Notes on Álvarez, Hardy, Castillo, Gentry, Harvey and more (tied 7-7)

Triple-A Norfolk's Pedro Álvarez is one of the players that the Orioles are discussing as part of their expanded September roster.

Álvarez hasn't played in the majors this season. He's been named to the International League's postseason All-Star team as a designated hitter after batting .241 with 30 doubles, 26 home runs, and 89 RBIs in 135 games.

The 26 home runs and 89 RBIs are the most by a Tides player since Norfolk became an Orioles affiliate in 2007. Álvarez leads the minors in games (135) and at-bats (536), and he's on pace to set a Norfolk record for at-bats in a season.

A dubious honor for a veteran player with his draft stature and track record.

"He's somebody we're considering adding, as are about eight or 10 others down there," said manager Buck Showalter. "You could ask that same question about a bunch of guys. But obviously, with our history with Pedro and knowing what he's capable of, it's a little more relevant."

Showalter would like to add someone with the speed to pinch-run, but there are issues with the 40-man roster. One opening currently exists and shortstop J.J. Hardy will be coming off the disabled list. The Orioles also will need a spot for a third catcher, with Chance Sisco and Francisco Pena the two leading candidates.

"And you've got a couple other guys that you're thinking about that are non-roster," Showalter said. Álvarez is included in the group.

Chris Dickerson's knee injury eliminated him from consideration.

Outfielder Joey Rickard's return will improve the speed on the club.

Showalter said Hardy will be activated between Friday and Monday. That's the most he's willing to narrow it down.

The Orioles will keep trying to get by with a six-man bullpen until Friday.

Catcher Welington Castillo remains in the lineup for the fourth consecutive game and there's no health issue with Caleb Joseph. Castillo is swinging a hot bat and he's rested with Showalter alternating his catchers.

Castillo is batting .290/.329/.479 in 75 games with nine doubles, 15 home runs and 43 RBIs. He has four hits in his last seven at-bats and nine in his last 23 with three home runs. He's batting .333/.373/.648 with five home runs in 15 games this month.

The Mariners are starting Ariel Miranda today and Castillo is batting .364/.383/.545 against left-handers this season.

Castillo has thrown out 50 percent of runners attempting to steal this season. However, Ubaldo Jimenez has an 8.06 ERA and .321 opponent's average with Castillo behind the plate this season and a 5.62 ERA and .263 opponent's average with Caleb Joseph.

"It's kind of like pitchers. You try to back off and make sure you keep them healthy and fresh so that when you get to this time of year, we're able to ride certain hot hands," Showalter said.

"It's also, I don't know if we'd consider this a day game after a night game with all the rest he's had. And when you catch a game that Dylan (Bundy) threw last night, it's not that physically challenging as some of the ones we've had to catch and we try to keep that in mind. That's why we've gotten good production. We're going to get over 20 home runs from the catching position this year. A lot of people would love to have that. And I think a lot of it has to do with how fresh for the most part they've been able to stay."

Craig Gentry is in right field again today. He's 15-for-41 (.366) with three doubles, one triple and five RBIs in 24 games in the second half.

"He's been a winning player for a long time," Showalter said. "He's fought through ... Sometimes, timing is everything with injuries. He's overcome some things. We were fortunate to have a lot of people who really knew him well and had a good relationship with him. We knew there was a comfort zone for him coming in here knowing that the first time things didn't work out perfectly in a game, everybody knew what he was capable of doing. And I think that's a real comfort level for a player.

"In fairness to some of the teams that he's been on the last two years, this is the first time he's really been healthy for this length of time."

Gentry's average since the break is second on the club behind Tim Beckham (.393), though the opportunities are more limited by comparison.

"He doesn't waste at-bats," Showalter said. "Every at-bat for him is the World Series. Not that anybody does consciously. I know he always feels like he's got to prove himself at 30-something years old. This guy, he never takes anything for granted."

Hunter Harvey will make one more start with Single-A Delmarva before the Orioles shut him down and allow him to have a "normal" offseason.

Harvey, 22, tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings last night in Hagerstown, allowing one hit and striking out five batters. He's made seven appearances since coming off the disabled list and thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings with 25 strikeouts.

The Orioles haven't listed their starters for the four-game series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, but Jeremy Hellickson is expected to pitch in Thursday night's opener.

For the Mariners
Ben Gamel LF
Yonder Alonso 1B
Nelson Cruz DH
Robinson Canó 2B
Kyle Seager 3B
Mitch Haniger RF
Mike Zunino C
Guillermo Heredia CF
Taylor Motter SS

Ariel Miranda LHP

Update: Trey Mancini homered into the Orioles bullpen in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Chris Davis singled and Castillo doubled to increase the lead to 2-0 against Miranda.

Update II: The Mariners sent 10 batters to the plate in the third and scored six runs to take a 6-2 lead. The last two scored on Mike Zunino's bloop single into center field off Miguel Castro, who inherited two runners. Ubaldo Jiménez is charged with six runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Update III: Castillo hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Gentry followed with his second this season to reduce the lead to 6-5. The Orioles have gone back-to-back 11 times this year.

Update IV: Jonathan Schoop homered with one out in the fifth and we're tied 6-6. Machado and Schoop are tied for the team lead with 30 home runs.

Update V: Machado's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the sixth scored Castillo and gave the Orioles a 7-6 lead. Castro tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Update VI: Mitch Haniger hit a solo home run off Brad Brach with two outs in the eighth to tie the game 7-7.